There’s current a shortage of butter near to where we live. I kid not – yesterday I went to three different supermarkets (Ultra, Meny & ICA) and all of them had a little message from Tine (the main brand of butter in Norway) saying they’re having a problem with supplying the product.
Why? Probably because the nation is baking in preparation for Christmas.
It’s tradition in Norway to bake and eat 7 different types of cookies at Christmas in much the same way that we would have a Christmas Cake in the UK. These days it’s convenient to buy these cookies ready-made from Baker Hansen or United Bakeries but given that I’m at home now waiting for our “baby viking” to arrive, my friend Line challenged me to have a go at baking these traditional delights to keep myself busy.
Over the next few days/weeks I’ll be doing a little festive baking and sharing the experience with you via this blog in case you fancy having a go yourself! Here’s a quick summary of the seven different cookies I’ll be attempting to bake!
- Smultringer (Donut Rings)
- Sandkaker (Sand Cakes)
- Sirupssnipper (Syrup Snaps)
- Berlinerkranser (Berlin Wreaths)
- Goro
- Krumkaker (Curved Cake)
- Fattigmann (Poor Man)
I’ll be following the recipes from here http://www.aperitif.no/index.db2?id=6427. If I’ve got time, I might just pull together a gingerbread house and a Kransekake (picture), which are also very traditional at this time of year.
Best of luck! I see that you have chosen to go for some of the more difficult ones – I normally stick to the easy ones, and the berlinerkranser – they are a must for me at Christmas :-)
By: Asta Burrows on November 24, 2011
at 8:46 AM
Thanks Asta although I’m a bit worried about the difficult ones. I guess you’re referring to the Goro and Krumkaker? I bought the Krumkaker iron the other day. Eliot thought baking biscuits was a great idea thinking it was just about flour and sugar – then I told him about all the equipment needed!
By: Sarah on November 24, 2011
at 8:57 AM
Yes, especially the goro and krumkaker – I have never attempted them, but have heard my mother swear in the kitchen when I was a child :-) But I love them though, so if you manage to make them they are definitely worth it!
By: Asta Burrows on November 24, 2011
at 6:23 PM
Can you send or post the recipe for krumkraker cookies? Thanks Cathy M.
By: Cathy M on October 17, 2012
at 7:33 PM
Hi cathy – here you go. You can find it here. Sorry for the delay. https://anewlifeinnorway.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/krumkaker-norwegian-christmas-cookie-challenge-4/. Sarah
By: Sarah on January 6, 2013
at 8:50 PM